“In sport, victories are always fair,” Benfica coach Edu Castro said after his team overturned a halftime deficit to defeat Sporting 3-2 and lift the rink hockey Supertaça at the Pavilhão Municipal de Santo Tirso on Saturday, slbenfica.pt reported.
The result gives Benfica its 10th Supertaça in the club’s rink hockey history. Sporting took the lead through Gonzalo Romero in the 13th minute, and held a 0-1 advantage at the interval despite Benfica creating several chances.
Zé Miranda’s Long-Range Strike Puts Benfica Ahead at 35 Minutes
The comeback began in the 28th minute when Pau Bargalló found João Rodrigues, who equalised at 1-1. Seven minutes later, with Romero serving a two-minute blue-card suspension, Zé Miranda scored from distance to make it 2-1. Gonçalo Pinto added a third at 48 minutes after recovering the ball and finishing one-on-one, before Rafael Bessa reduced the deficit for Sporting at 50 minutes. Alessandro Verona was sent off with a straight red card at 48 minutes, according to the match timeline published by slbenfica.pt.
Castro Praises Tactical Change After Elite Cup Defeat
Castro, whose side lost the Elite Cup to OC Barcelos the previous week, said the second half was “very well played” and that the team made tactical adjustments. “We didn’t make a great first half; it was a half of wear and tear,” he said, according to Record. “Sporting entered the game well, with very high pressure and good transitions. But the second half was very well played.” CNN Portugal quoted Castro as saying that what the team worked on during the week “came out very well” and that Benfica played “a very complete game over the 50 minutes.”
Sporting Coach Edo Bosch Criticises Refereeing After Defeat
Sporting coach Edo Bosch congratulated Benfica but criticised the officiating, telling Bola na Rede: “Who decided to put this gentleman to referee the final?” He said a “non-existent blue card” against Romero left his team playing short-handed in a tight match and added: “I honestly don’t know what the video referee is for. They continue to be the artists of the film.” Bosch said he was proud of his players and told them: “We have to lift our heads and continue to grow.”
Benfica Players Credit Supporters for Second-Half Comeback
João Rodrigues said the fans were “fundamental” to the reaction after halftime, telling slbenfica.pt: “Today we only heard Benfica from start to finish. That also gave us that extra energy.” Captain and goalkeeper Pedro Henriques emphasised the collective effort, noting that the 10th Supertaça came “in more than 100 years of rink hockey history at Benfica.” Gonçalo Pinto dedicated his goal to his family, saying “the goal could have been anyone’s. I was lucky to be there at that moment.” Martim Costa, who returned to the club after nine years in its academy, said it was his objective “to come home and be able to win titles for Benfica.”
Win Marks Benfica’s 10th Super Cup in Rink Hockey
The triumph follows an unbeaten league season across the regular phase and playoffs that earned Benfica the place in the Supertaça, Pedro Henriques said. The club now holds 10 Supertaças in the discipline.
Benfica Travel to FC Porto on Wednesday for League Opener
Benfica return to competition on Wednesday, 11 November, at 20:00 against FC Porto at the Dragão Arena in the first round of the National Championship, slbenfica.pt reported. Defender Roberto Di Benedetto said the team must “go to any rink as champions” and keep winning.
Super Cup Final Questions Answered
How many Supertaças has Benfica won in rink hockey? This is the club’s 10th, in more than 100 years of rink hockey history at Benfica, according to captain Pedro Henriques.
Who scored for Benfica in the final? João Rodrigues at 28 minutes, Zé Miranda at 35 minutes and Gonçalo Pinto at 48 minutes secured the 3-2 win, while Rafael Bessa scored Sporting’s second goal at 50 minutes.
When is Benfica’s next match? Benfica play FC Porto at the Dragão Arena on Wednesday, 11 November at 20:00 in the opening round of the National Championship.
The victory adds a 10th Supertaça to a rink hockey section that has collected titles across more than a century, one week after the team lost the Elite Cup final to OC Barcelos.
Earlier coverage: Benfica Beats Sporting to Win Roller Hockey Super Cup